Front PageNational Sports

FAM suspends use of banks at matches

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has suspended collection of cash at matches under its jurisdiction using banks following a K4.7 million shortage at the recent Airtel Top 8 semi-final between rivals Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers.

The suspension comes after the association scrutinised reports from all stakeholders, including FDH Bank, Glory Gate Management, the two teams and the police following the match at Bingu nNational Stadium in Lilongwe two weeks ago.

Though FAM is yet to make a statement on who was responsible for the shortage, the association’s general secretary (GS) Alfred Gunda on Wednesday said those who were involved in the gate management will no longer be engaged until the issue is sorted out.

The GS also said to this effect, the association has engaged a firm to handle pre-selling of tickets for the competition’s final between Bullets and Blue Eagles set for this Sunday at the same venue.

“We do not want any official to be anywhere near cash at the stadium. We are just finalising the process so that the pre-selling of tickets can start,” he said.

Meanwhile, the two clubs have welcomed the association’s decision to pre-sale tickets.

Blue Eagles general secretary Ulemu Kalua said the pre-selling of tickets would ensure no cash exchanges hands at the stadium.

“At least this way no one will go to the stadium carrying cash to pay. Only those with the tickets will be allowed into the perimeter,” he said.

But Kalua said there was also need to tighten security at the stadium to avoid unscrupulous people using loopholes to get into the stadium.

“We have seen how even some security guards hired at the stadium end up pocketing money to let people in,” he said.

But Gunda said apart from the pre-selling of tickets, FAM would also ensure heavy security at the stadium.

“Sometimes the stadium might look full when indeed people have entered using unchartered entry points. This time we do not want this to happen. Luckily, one of the teams involved [Eagles] is from Malawi Police Service. We have since asked them to provide maximum security and arrest anyone who will be caught,” he said.

FAM has come under heavy criticism following the missing K4.7 million, saying it needs to crackdown on those responsible for the mess.

But Glory Gate Management Company director Gerald Mussa last week distanced his firm from the shortage, saying they never handled the cash.

FDH Bank, which handled the cash, is yet to comment on the matter.

The bank’s head of communication and marketing Levie Nkunika on Wednesday said he would come back to us for comment.

Related Articles

Back to top button